The Popkorn Junkie

    I went into this movie not knowing much about it. I knew it was based on a book, a book that I have never heard of, yet alone read. So, I watched it like it was an original movie...and guess what? It's pretty damn original. In fact, there isn't many bad things I can say about it.

      "Holes" begins with Stanley Yelnats IV (played by newcomer Shia LaBeouf) walking home, then out of the blue something hits him, and the next thing he knows he's in the middle of nowhere, which we later learn to be a Texas juvenile delinquent camp. From the moment Stanley gets there he knows something isn't right. The guards are abusive and make them dig holes each and every day to "build character". Stanley is told that if he finds something while digging that he can get the rest of the day off if he shows it to the guard. Everybody thinks it's just some ploy to keep them digging, but it becomes obvious that they are part of some grand plan.

      Again, I didn't know much about this prior to, but I quickly recognized Tim Blake Nelson and Henry Wrinkler (I mean, who wouldn't recognize the Fonz?) However, by the end credits, I was amazed at how star studded this is. For starters, I totally did not recognize Sigourney Weaver or Jon Voight! There's a small cameo role by Eartha Kitt, I hate to call it a cameo, because it is essential to the plot, but it is small nevertheless. But the shocker for me didn't stop there, the great Patricia Arquette is in this too! How did I not recognize her?!? The rest of the cast is mostly unknown child actors, but they do a great job and don't mess up any of their lines at all. Well acted all around.

      Here's the real shocker: Andrew Davis. This guy is known for directing great action movies like "Under Siege" and "Above the Law", but folks, "A Perfect Murder" was no fluke, because he does have an eye for a great character-driven film. Him being a cinematographer didn't hurt either. The shots of the dry, hot desert are gorgeous.

Technically, this film gets no qualms from me. It's very well paced and you never get pulled out of the picture. Pardon the cliché, but it pulls you in and won't let go. The music is almost un-noticeable (which you want, you don't want to get people to focus on the music), except for "Honey" by Moby, but that wasn't that bad a choice.

This is a movie for kids, parents, and non-parents alike. It's PG, but it's really close to being G, I guess it was the borderline child abuse of the delinquent camp, that bothered the MPAA. Kids may not understand that aspect, so parental guidance is suggested.

Translation: The first great movie of 2003, and definitely the most original one so far. All around great film.

-- James ( 4 out of 4 pops )

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Other Junkie's opinions.....

Mike ( 2 out of 4 pops )

This is one difficult movie for me to get a strong opinion on one way or another. On one hand, it had a neat original story plus an enormously entertaining performance by Jon Voight. However, on the other hand, the film dragged quite a bit and left me bored with much of it. A couple of the kids were pretty engaging, especially the little guy who at first doesn't say anything. But both the dialog and the so-called "funny" lines were pretty lame throughout. This is one that will probably entertain the kiddies but most adults will check their watches a lot. So, I'm gonna call this one right down the middle.

Billy Ray ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops )

Could it be? Has Disney finally made a live action film worth seeing? YES!!!!!! And it just so happens to be based on one of the best children's books ever written, the unusually sharp and witty "Holes". I found the film to be wholly true to the book and a pleasure to watch onscreen. Jon Voight does a fantastic job of dumbing it down, and Sigourney Weaver and Patricia Arquette look like they are having all sorts of fun in a genre that they do not typically prefer. What impressed me most about this film was the cinematography, which is something you do not expect to stand out in a Disney film. I found some of the camera shots to be original and almost mesmerizing. And, this is not something that only the kiddies will enjoy. There are plenty of adult laughs and everyone should get a kick out of this unbelievably charming picture. Thank God. Disney needed a hit bad.